Queen Elizabeth II was hospitalized on Sunday, March 3, 2013 due to stomach illness, and is now being observed at King Edward VII hospital in central London. The 86-year old British queen reportedly had symptoms of gastroenteritis, and is expected to be in the hospital for two days.

Queen Elizabeth IIImage Credit: Royal.gov.uk

As noted at BBC News on Sunday afternoon, a Buckingham Palace spokesperson said that Queen Elizabeth is in “good spirits.” However, her Royal engagements for this week, which include her scheduled visit to Rome this coming Wednesday, will either be postponed or cancelled due to her current health condition.

“This is a precautionary measure. She (Queen Elizabeth II) was not taken into hospital immediately after feeling the symptoms. This is simply to enable doctors to better assess her.” The spokesman was quoted as saying. The Queen was brought to the said hospital at around 3 pm (local time).

According to the report, the Queen‘s trip to Swansea on Saturday to attend a military ceremony celebrating David’s Day was also cancelled due to same illness. The news about her health condition started to surface in Britain last Friday, but Buckingham Palace officials said that there is no need to be alarmed.

And while there is still no information as to who has already visited the Queen, British Prime Minister David Cameron has already sent his message via his official Twitter account (@David_Cameron), tweeting, “My best wishes to Her Majesty the Queen, who is in hospital. I hope she makes a speedy recovery.”

Apparently, a crowd of well-wishers and news reporters gathered in front of the hospital, along with some local police to maintain order in the area. Queen Elizabeth II, who is the mother of Prince Charles, is United Kingdom‘s second longest ruling monarch, next to Queen Victoria.